TA DA the Birthday Reveal a Blackbird Design

Finally, my sister opened her birthday present.  She was in Toronto for business and didn't get back to yesterday and in the office until this morning.  Now, I can finally post it!! 

It is The Tulip House Stitching Companion by Blackbird Design from A Stitcher's Journey Book.  

I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.  

 I had to order rick rack, seam twill tape and Briwax from Amazon.  Amazon sent me to other providers.  So now I have 20 yards of white rick rack, 72 yards of cotton seam twill tape and a one pound container of Briwax.  It was still cheaper than ordering from cross stitch sites.  I am in love with the Briwax and have several projects I will be using it on.  The buttons I had salvedged from the in-laws clean out last summer.  I have three tins full of buttons.

 I hand dyed the rick rack, tape and chenille per directions in the book with tan Rit dye.

 The parts before they are all put together.  It was such a fun stitch.  I love this book and plan on making more projects from it.

 I was going to make some cording with floss and a drill but, when I saw how Brenda Gervais from With Thy Needle and Thread had finished the thimble purses with the button fringe, I thought that would be a good way to finish the scissors fob.  I used more twill tape on it.

 The Briwax really changes the color of the paint.  I used the dark brown and it added depth and dimension to the paint.  It also gives it a nice shiny, glow.  I really love this stuff.

 The top glued into place on the box.

 The art shot.

 The inside of the box.  A small pin cushion, rings for thread, the fob fits right in.

 

 Then, I took the longest straight pins I could find and used Bead Loc to glue some pretty Swarovski crystals and fresh water pearls with silver seed beads.  I just can't get a good picture of these.

 Initially, I had the pin cushioned tied in with a bow.  It was too much so, I just tied a simple square knot and I much preferred that one.

 One more peek at the finished product.

 TA DA, It is finished and posted.  She loved it!

 Update on Strawberry Hill.  I don't iron anything until the stitching is done.  This is coming along rather nicely.

 I wasn't so sure about using a single strand of floss on 35 count linen.

I can keep you updated on this one as I progress.

Thanks for stopping.  I love getting all the wonderful comments.
Keep on stitching.